We’ll handle pressure in Dortmund, claims Per

Per Mertesacker believes Arsenal’s fine Premier League form has given them the composure to handle the threat of Borussia Dortmund tomorrow night.

Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Liverpool took them five points clear at the top of the table at the start of a tough week, including a trip to last season’s Champions League finalists.

Dortmund’s victory at Emirates Stadium two weeks ago tightened up Group F with three teams now on six points.

Arsenal need to win two of their three remaining games to be certain of qualification but Mertesacker (above) believes the team are displaying a maturity capable of handling such pressure.

He said: “We are relaxed. We are showing in the Premier League that we are one of the best teams.

“Against Liverpool, we can be happy how we coped with both [Luis] Suarez and [Daniel] Sturridge. Especially in the first half they could not create any chances. I think we really deserve that win.

“It’s difficult to play Dortmund especially away from home but we have to keep our confidence. I think we are on a high level. We need to get a good result to stay in the competition.”